Thesis
The United States offers many laws to protect children’s rights, but there is a lot more they could still do; for example, ratifying the Convention on the Rights of a Child.
Introduction
27 years ago the United Nations signed the CRC. Since signing every country of the UN, except the United States, has ratified it. The CRC is an international treaty that recognizes the human rights of children, anyone under the age of eighteen. The CRC is one of the most successful human rights treaties in history.
Summary of Opposing Views In order to ratify a treaty, the U.S. requires there to be a ⅔ vote in congress, which hasn’t happed yet. The U.S. shows interest in passing this bill, but with it being controversial, it takes years to examine …show more content…
Parents-rights groups believe that the treaty would impair their parenting rights (“Why”). The CRC states that children's rights can no longer be viewed as an option, and that children are no longer considered “property” to their parents/guardians (“Understanding”). Signing this treating will mean an overpowering of previous laws put into place to protect children. They have already signed on some the optional protocols from the CRC (Collins). The protocols take control of the involving children in armed conflict, the sale of children, and child prostitution …show more content…
Taking away the option of a life sentence gives these children a second chance. If a child hasn’t even fully developed mentally and physically, they are too young to be spending their entire life in prison. The United States is the only country in the world that sentences youth to life without the possibility of parole for offenses they committed before the age of eighteen (“United States”). 26% of those convicted for life without parole were convicted of “felony murder”(“United States”). A “felony murder” is anyone involved in a serious crime during which a murder happens is also guilty of murder, even if they themselves did not kill anyone (“United States”). For example, if a child joined a crime and is in the car when someone got shot, he is also guilty for murder (“United States”). Once convicted, these children are sent to live among adult gangs, sexual predators and in harsh conditions, in prison (“United States”). More and more states in the U.S. are banning life without parole, but the CRC ends it all together (“United States”). It will not allow a child under the age of eighteen to go to trial in an adult court, and it will not permit a sentence of life without parole (“United States”). Ending this gives children a second chance. If these children are even unable to vote, buy medicine, or anything else, why would it be okay for them to spend their
The United States offers many laws to protect children’s rights, but there is a lot more they could still do; for example, ratifying the Convention on the Rights of a Child.
Introduction
27 years ago the United Nations signed the CRC. Since signing every country of the UN, except the United States, has ratified it. The CRC is an international treaty that recognizes the human rights of children, anyone under the age of eighteen. The CRC is one of the most successful human rights treaties in history.
Summary of Opposing Views In order to ratify a treaty, the U.S. requires there to be a ⅔ vote in congress, which hasn’t happed yet. The U.S. shows interest in passing this bill, but with it being controversial, it takes years to examine …show more content…
Parents-rights groups believe that the treaty would impair their parenting rights (“Why”). The CRC states that children's rights can no longer be viewed as an option, and that children are no longer considered “property” to their parents/guardians (“Understanding”). Signing this treating will mean an overpowering of previous laws put into place to protect children. They have already signed on some the optional protocols from the CRC (Collins). The protocols take control of the involving children in armed conflict, the sale of children, and child prostitution …show more content…
Taking away the option of a life sentence gives these children a second chance. If a child hasn’t even fully developed mentally and physically, they are too young to be spending their entire life in prison. The United States is the only country in the world that sentences youth to life without the possibility of parole for offenses they committed before the age of eighteen (“United States”). 26% of those convicted for life without parole were convicted of “felony murder”(“United States”). A “felony murder” is anyone involved in a serious crime during which a murder happens is also guilty of murder, even if they themselves did not kill anyone (“United States”). For example, if a child joined a crime and is in the car when someone got shot, he is also guilty for murder (“United States”). Once convicted, these children are sent to live among adult gangs, sexual predators and in harsh conditions, in prison (“United States”). More and more states in the U.S. are banning life without parole, but the CRC ends it all together (“United States”). It will not allow a child under the age of eighteen to go to trial in an adult court, and it will not permit a sentence of life without parole (“United States”). Ending this gives children a second chance. If these children are even unable to vote, buy medicine, or anything else, why would it be okay for them to spend their